The move, and its outcome, was rich in irony. In its desire to be rid of then-President Thabo Mbeki from the early 2000s onward, the SACP, led by Nzimande, fatally tied its fortunes to Zuma’s candidacy. It sought to convince itself that he represented a progressive alternative to the neoliberal economics, excessive centralism and authoritarian culture that they associated with Mbeki. The SACP felt that Zuma would offer a more inclusive approach to intra-ANC and intra-alliance debate, and might even produce a significant left turn in South African politics. ...